Station

ABSTRACT

A gas station for delivery of gas to appliances, in particular in a building, comprising a casing (12) and a gas regulation device (13) with several components comprising a gas regulator 14 and one filter (32), wherein the gas regulation device (13) is mounted or mountable within the casing (12), wherein the casing (12) comprises a ground plate (10) and a cover element (11) being securable or secured onto the ground plate (10), wherein the ground plate (10) is configured for mounting to a wall or to an external mounting post (50).

The invention relates to a gas station for delivery of gas toappliances, in particular in a building.

Gas stations for the (regulated) delivery of gas to different appliancesin a building are well-known. Such gas stations comprise usually a gasregulator, one or more valves and other elements for regulating anddelivery of the gas (such as a filter and/or manometer). A generalproblem of such a gas station is that the maintenance is often rathercumbersome. In cases, where the gas station is comparatively easy toaccess, the possibility for misuse of the device is rather high.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gasstation for the delivery of gas to appliances, in particular in abuilding, wherein the gas station is easy to maintain and access. Inparticular, misuse of the gas station should be impeded or hindered.

In particular, the object is solved by a gas station for delivery of gasto appliances, in particular in a building, the gas station comprising acasing and a gas regulation device with several components comprising atleast a gas regulator and one filter, wherein the gas regulation deviceis mounted or mountable within the casing, wherein the casing comprisesa ground plate and a cover element being securable or secured onto theground plate, wherein the ground plate is configured for mounting to awall or to an external mounting post.

A core idea of the present invention is to provide a structure with theground plate and the cover, wherein the ground plate can be mounted tothe wall or the external mounting post. At the same time, the gasregulation device is protected within the casing. As a result,maintenance and access of the gas station is comparatively easy, whereasa potential misuse of the gas station is (at least to some degree)hindered.

Preferably, the ground plate is provided as attachment basis for the gasregulation device, which comprises a gas regulator and/or at least onefilter, in particular at least one cartridge filter, and/or at least onevalve and/or at least one manometer and/or at least one dielectric linkinsulation, so that the gas regulation device may be preassembled on theground plate. Such a modular layout simplifies the assembly of the gasstation, since the preassembly of the components of the gas regulationdevice may be performed in a reliable production process in a factory.With this, a reliable and fast installation process can be achieved.Further, components may easily be individually disassembled and replacedafter mounting of the preassembled gas station.

Preferably, the ground plate comprises at least one fastening element,in particular at least one hole, in particular at least two or at leastthree holes, for fastening, in particular screwing, the gas station onthe wall. With such a structure, the gas station can be reliablyattached to the wall or to the mounting post.

It is further preferred that the cover element is (or can be) securelyattached and locked onto the ground plate. This feature may aid inpreventing unauthorized access to the gas station.

Furthermore, it may be preferred that that the ground plate is made ofan insulating material, in particular is made of plastic, in order toinsulate the gas regulation device from electric charges which mightotherwise be transmitted from the wall or the external mounting postonto the gas regulation device. This increases the safety of the gasstation. Furthermore, corrosion of the piping elements which may arisedue to static charges accumulated in the gas station may be prevented.

In an embodiment, the ground plate comprises at least one spacer, sothat the ground plate is attached to the wall or to the externalmounting post in such a way that a predefined gap is maintained betweenthe ground plate and the wall or between the ground plate and themounting post. The ground plate may further comprise ventilation meansin order to guide any leakage gas in the gap which is provided betweenthe ground plate and the wall or between the ground plate and theexternal mounting post. With this, high gas concentrations inside thecasing of the gas station in case of a leaking gas station can beavoided, which further increases the safety of the gas station.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention the groundplate is defined as a multifunctional element providing one or more ofthe following functions: attachment of the gas regulation devicethereon, so that the gas regulation device may be preassembled on theground plate, attachment to the wall or to the mounting post, attachmentof the cover element in such a way that the cover element is securelylocked thereon, serving, while being made of an insulating material, asan insulating shield against charges, which might otherwise betransmitted from the wall or from the mounting post onto the gasregulation device, having ventilation means for any leakage gas to beguided out of the casing. By providing these functions via the groundplate, a compact design of the gas station can be maintained whilesimplifying the assembly and the maintenance of the gas station andenabling fast and secure access to all components of the regulationdevice.

In an embodiment, the cover element has a box-shape or a bowl-shape, sothat when the cover element is detached from the ground plate, the gasregulation device with its components is accessible from four sides,namely from a front side, from a top side, from a left side and from aright side. In general, the cover element may have four or five wallsfacing in four or five different directions, whereas a side facing inthe other direction(s) is open (as such; in the end to be closed by theground plate).

The casing may comprise an alternative or additional ventilation openingbetween the cover element and the ground plate. Accumulation of gas upto dangerous concentrations in the casing can thus be avoided, while atthe same time specific venting passages are provided.

The gas regulation device may comprise at least a gas regulator and afilter as main components; each component may have a standard flangeportion towards the following component which has a similar flangeportion, so that each of the main components can easily be demounted,serviced or exchanged. This yields a modular layout of the gas stationwhich improves maintainability and simplifies maintenance procedure,since individual components can be easily dismounted and reassembled.

Furthermore, an inlet valve and/or an outlet valve may have a standardflange towards its next components of the gas regulation device, suchthat inlet valve and/or outlet valve can easily be exchanged. This alsocontributes to a simplified maintenance procedure. Also, the gas stationcan easily be adapted to another system of incoming or outgoing gastubes, for example when gas tubes are changed from incoming or outgoingmetal gas tubes to polyethylene incoming or outgoing gas tubes.

An edge portion of the cover element and a corresponding edge portion ofthe ground plate may comprise complementary protrusions and recesses,respectively, for positioning and/or holding the cover element on theground plate. Hence, a fast, simple and reliable connection of the coverelement with the ground plate can be achieved.

A connection cover element may be provided for covering a connectionportion of incoming and outgoing gas tubes. Such connection coverelement may be box-shaped. The connection cover element may extendbetween the cover element and a ground surface.

A bottom of the casing, in particular a bottom of the cover element, maycomprise at least one opening for connecting the gas station to incomingand/or outgoing gas tubes.

The following figures show an embodiment of the invention. Hereby show:

FIG. 1: A cross-sectional view of the gas station;

FIG. 2: A front view of the gas station with a removed cover element;

FIG. 3: An oblique view of a ground plate;

FIG. 4: A first oblique view of a cover element;

FIG. 5: A second oblique view of the cover element;

FIG. 6: A portion of the gas station in a first position;

FIG. 7: The portion of FIG. 6 in a second position;

FIG. 8: An enlarged portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9: The enlarged portion of FIG. 8 in a second position;

FIG. 10: A perspective view of the gas station mounted on a mountingpost; and

FIG. 11: A cross-sectional view of the gas station mounted to a mountingpost.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the gas station. The gas stationcomprises a ground plate 10 and a cover element 11 forming a casing 12.Within the casing 12, a regulation device 13 is located, the regulationdevice 13 comprises (inter alia) a gas regulator 14, several valves (ofwhich an inner safety valve is located at reference sign 15 and anisolation valve is located at reference sign 16 a). At the connectionportion 17 a, a delivery line (not shown) may be connected. A dashedline indicates the position of a wall, to which the gas station may bemounted.

Ventilation means 35 are provided by means of apertures in the groundplate 10. The ventilation means 35 may be provided as holes or slits inthe ground plate 10. While the location of the ventilation means 35 onthe ground plate 10 is not particularly limited, it is preferable toprovide the ventilation means 35 in an upper part of the casing 12, sothat uprising gas can exit the casing 12 without accumulating in a toppart thereof.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the gas station with the cover element 11removed. It can be seen that the regulation device 13 may furthercomprise a general valve 16 b and a cartridge filter 32 (optionally withtest point; not shown). Further shown is a dielectric link insulation 33connecting the valves 16 a and 16 b. A further connection portion 17 bin addition to the connection portion 17 a may be provided to establisha second connection, e.g. a gas inlet or outlet. The connection portions17 a and 17 b are therefore provided with standard flanges, so that aneasy connection with gas inlet or outlet pipes can be accomplished. If achange in gas tube standards occurs, e.g., when switching from metaltubes for gas delivery to polyethylene tubes for gas delivery, it isconceivable that connecting elements of the tubes might also be changed.In this case, it will not be necessary to replace the complete gasstation, but merely the corresponding connection portions 17 a and/or 17b.

The different components of the regulation device 13 are connected atappropriately dimensioned flange portions 36, 37. With this layout, aflexible design of the regulation device 13 can be achieved. Individualcomponents may be easily exchanged by disconnecting them at the flangeportions 36, 37. This also allows for the mounting of additional oralternative components such as a manometer. Also, it is conceivable thatthe cartridge filter 32 may have to be exchanged regularly after apredetermined time period, e.g. after two years. Also, the gas regulator14 may have to be exchanged after a predetermined time period, e.g.after five years. With the modular layout of the regulation device 13,such operations may be reliably and simply performed.

The regulation device 13 is attached to the ground plate 10 with severalattachment means 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and thusmounted within the casing 12. This allows a (partial) preassembly of theregulation device 13 in the factory, so that the (partially)preassembled regulation device 13 may be mounted within the casing 12upon installation. Also, it is possible to exchange single or multiplecomponents after installation. The ground plate 10 secures theattachment of the regulation device 13 in the casing 12.

From FIG. 2, it can be appreciated that the regulation device 13 isaccessible from at least four sides when removing the cover element 11.This further alleviates the maintenance of the regulation device 13,since all components are easily accessible from multiple sides.

The ground plate 10 is made of an insulating material, so it acts asinsulator, preventing electric charges from reaching the regulationdevice 13. For the same reason, the cover element 11 may be manufacturedof an insulating material like plastic as well. As can be seen in FIGS.1 and 2, the ground plate 10 is (generally) flat, whereas the coverelement 11 has a box-shape or a bowl shape, respectively. The groundplate 10 may thus serve as a connecting element for mounting the gasstation to a wall.

In FIG. 3, the ground plate 10 is shown in an oblique view. The groundplate 10 has an inner side 18 facing a cover element 11 and an outerside 19 facing the wall (in use). Furthermore, the ground plate 10comprises three mounting screw holes 20 a, 20 b and 20 c into whichscrews (not shown in FIG. 3) can be inserted in order to attach theground plate 10 (and hence the gas station) to a wall. Further holes 21or recesses, respectively, are shown. These recesses/holes 21 can beused for mounting the regulation device 13 onto the ground plate 10.Similarly, a flap 22 defines a general support structure for supportingthe regulation device 13 and/or the cover element 11 and/or anotherelement. A hook 23 allows the cover element 11 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 tobe hooked in the ground plate 10 (to be described later).

Moreover, the ground plate 10 comprises projections 24 with recesses 25in between that can be engaged with (rib-like) projections 26 (see FIG.5) of the cover element 11. The projections 24, the recesses 25 and theprojections 26 allow an accurate positioning and reliable mounting ofthe cover element 11 on the ground plate 10.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the mounting and locking procedure of the coverelement 11 on the ground plate 10, is described. In FIG. 6, the coverelement 11 is moved towards the ground plate 10. A locking element 27 isin the unlocked state. According to FIG. 8, the cover element 11 and theground plate 10 are in engagement. However, the locking element 27 isstill in the unlocked state.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the (rib-like) projections 26 define guidingsurfaces which simplify the connection process when the cover element 11is moved towards the ground plate 10.

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 7 (the locking element 27 beingin an unlocked state). As can be seen in FIG. 9 by rotating a key in akey hole 28, the locking element 27 is transferred to its locked stateso that the cover element 11 cannot be removed from the ground plate 10(without using the key for the key hole 28).

In FIG. 7, a ventilation hole 29 (ventilation slot) can be seen which isdefined by an edge portion 30 of the ground plate 10 and a corresponding(inner) edge portion 31 of the cover element. This ventilation hole 29ensures that gas that may be leaking from a defect regulation device 13may not be accumulated in the casing 12. The ventilation hole 29 may beprovided additionally or alternatively to the ventilation means 35 shownin FIG. 1. The ventilation hole 29 may have a width of 1-2 mm.

Ventilation of the casing 12 can be further improved by attaching theground plate 10 to the wall in a way that a gap between the wall and theground plate 10 remains. In order to achieve this, spacers 41 may beprovided on the outer side 19 of the ground plate, so that a gap remainsbetween the ground plate 10 and the wall when the gas station isattached to the wall.

In the description above, it has been assumed that the gas station willbe attached to a wall. It is also possible to mount the gas station on amounting post 50. Such a configuration is shown in FIG. 10. The gasstation is shown with attached cover element 11, being mounted to amounting post 50. Tubes for gas delivery (that are connected to theconnection portions 17 a and 17 b of the regulation device 13 inside thecasing 12) are enclosed in a connection cover element 51 that isprovided below the gas station. The mounting post 50 may be provided ona sidewalk, near a building to which gas is to be provided.

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the gas-station in FIG. 10. Forimproved ventilation, spacers 40 are provided between the ground plate10 of the gas station and the mounting post 50.

From FIG. 10 it can be seen that the casing 12 of the gas station has abigger width than the mounting post 50, so that the casing 12 protrudesbeyond the mounting post 50. Also, the front part of the cover element11 protrudes beyond the mounting post 50, as shown in FIG. 11. Thus, anoverall compact design of the gas station is realized.

The gas station and/or the casing may have a length and/or height and/orwidth of at least 8 cm, in particular at least 12 cm and/or not morethan 30 cm, preferably not more than 20 cm.

The gas station and/or the casing may have a volume of at least 500 cm³,in particular at least 1700 cm³ and/or not more than 2700 cm³,preferably not more than 8000 cm³.

The gas station according to this invention may be used as a regulationdevice for the supply of gas to individual households, where a typicalgas flow of 1.5 m³/h may be expected. However, it is also possible toemploy the gas station according to this invention for establishing agas supply to houses with several apartments, or larger commercialaccommodations. It may be conceivable to apply the gas station forsupplying gas to 50-1000 apartments. The gas station may be designed toprovide flow rates of 25-100 m³/h.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Ground plate-   11 Cover element-   12 Casing-   13 Regulation device-   14 Gas regulator-   15 Safety valve-   16 a Valve-   16 b Valve-   17 a Connection portion-   17 b Connection portion-   18 Inner side-   19 Outer side-   20 a Mounting screw hole-   20 b Mounting screw hole-   20 c Mounting screw hole-   21 Recess/hole-   22 Flap-   23 Hook-   24 Projection-   25 Recess-   26 Projection-   27 Locking element-   28 Key hole-   29 Ventilation hole-   30 Edge portion-   31 Edge portion-   32 Cartridge filter-   33 Dielectric link insulation-   34 Gap-   35 Ventilation means-   36 Flange portion-   37 Flange portion-   38 Flange-   39 Flange-   40 a Attachment means-   40 b Attachment means-   40 c Attachment means-   41 Spacer-   50 Mounting post-   51 Connection cover element

1. A gas station for delivery of gas to appliances, in particular in abuilding, the gas station comprising a casing and a gas regulationdevice with several components comprising at least a gas regulator andone filter, wherein the gas regulation device is mounted or mountablewithin the casing, wherein the casing comprises a ground plate and acover element being securable or secured onto the ground plate, whereinthe ground plate is configured for mounting to a wall or to an externalmounting post.
 2. The gas station of claim 1, characterised in that theground plate is provided as attachment basis for the gas regulationdevice, which comprises a gas regulator and/or at least one filter, inparticular at least one cartridge filter, and/or at least one valveand/or at least one manometer and/or at least one dielectric linkinsulation, so that the gas regulation device may be preassembled on theground plate.
 3. The gas station of claim 1, characterised in that theground plate comprises at least one fastening element, in particular atleast on hole, in particular at least two or at least three holes, forfastening, in particular screwing, the gas station on the wall or on theexternal mounting post.
 4. The gas station of claim 1, characterised inthat the cover element is securely attached and locked, or securelyattachable and lockable, onto the ground plate.
 5. The gas station ofclaim 1, characterised in that the ground plate is made of an insulatingmaterial, in particular is made of plastic, in order to insulate the gasregulation device from electric charges which might otherwise betransmitted from the wall or the external mounting post onto the gasregulation device.
 6. The gas station of claim 1, characterised in thatthe ground plate comprises at least one spacer, so that the ground plateattached to the wall or to the external mounting post in such a way thata predefined gap is maintained between the ground plate and the wall orbetween the ground plate and that the ground plate comprises ventilationmeans in order to guide any leakage gas in the gap which is providedbetween the ground plate and the wall or between the ground plate andthe external mounting post.
 7. The gas station of claim 1, characterizedin that the ground plate is defined as a multifunctional elementproviding one or more of the following functions: attachment of the gasregulation device thereon, so that the gas regulation device may bepreassembled on the ground plate, attachment to the wall or to themounting post, attachment of the cover element in such a way that thecover element is securely locked thereon, serves while being made of aninsulating material as an insulating shield against charges, which mightotherwise be transmitted from the wall or from the mounting post ontothe gas regulation device, has ventilation means for any leakage gas tobe guided out of the casing.
 8. The gas station of claim 1,characterised in that the cover element 14 has a box-shape or abowl-shape, so that when the cover element is detached from the groundplate, the gas regulation device with its components is accessible fromfour sides, namely from a front side, from a top side, from a left sideand from a right side.
 9. The gas station of claim 1, characterised inthat the casing comprises an alternative or additional ventilationopening between the cover element and the ground plate.
 10. The gasstation of claim 1, characterised in that the gas regulation devicecomprises a gas regulator and at least one filter as main components andthat each component has a standard flange portion towards the followingcomponent which has a similar flange portion, so that each of the maincomponents can easily be demounted, serviced or exchanged.
 11. The gasstation of claim 1, characterised in that an inlet valve and/or anoutlet valve has a standard flange towards its next components of thegas regulation device, such that inlet valve and/or outlet valve caneasily be exchanged.
 12. The gas station of claim 1, characterised inthat an edge portion of the cover element and a corresponding edgeportion of the ground plate comprise complementary protrusions andrecesses, respectively, for positioning and/or holding the cover elementon the ground plate.
 13. The gas station of claim 1, characterised inthat a connection cover element is provided, for covering a connectionportion of a gas delivery line.